Funner Runner

Protect Your Skin From Chaffing With Body Glide

8/23/2019

***DISCLAIMER: I was provided Body Glide product below in exchange for my honest review. No other compensation was exchanged for my review. All thoughts are strictly my own.

Summer is in full swing - and honestly it doesn't look like it is leaving anytime soon. Summer means heat, extra intense sweating and unfortunately extra risks for blisters and chaffing. For me personally, I have battled blisters on my feet and chaffing on my inner thigh.

One of the things that I learned from my first marathon was the importance of taking care of my feet. After suffering from blisters the size of quarters basically covering the entire balls of my feet and heels, I knew I needed to find a reliable way to treat my feet before running. In addition, I needed to find a better solution for the occasional chaffing on my thighs, bra band, and under arms. Well, along came Body Glide.

Body Glide Body

The goal of Body Glide's products are to create a rich, anti-chafing barrier that resists rubbing and in turn prevents chafing, blisters and raw skin. This is exactly the premise of Body Glide Body. Basically, Body Glide Body protects your skin against rubbing that causes chafing, irritation and raw skin.

Product Information (source: Body Glide)
- Long-lasting and effective for daily use in humid and dry conditions. No greasy, messy petroleum, lanolin or mineral oils.
- Keeps pores clog free. Sweat escapes and lets skin breathe.
- Clothing and footwear safe.
- Made with allergen free, plant-derived ingredients. Vegan approved, never tested on animals.
How to Use Body Glide (source: Body Glide)
- Before you get dressed apply directly, from the stick, to the thighs, neck, feet, arms or anywhere your skin is rubbed the wrong way. Apply to intact skin before activity or anytime. Washes off with mild soap.

Over the years I have used different methods to help prevent chaffing and blisters - petroleum jelly being one of them. While it did help with chafe issues, it wasn't exactly easy to use and was quite messy at times. With Body Glide, the application was beyond easy as it is a solid and stays where it is applied. I don't have to worry about it rubbing off and staining my clothing after I apply it. Best of all, it is convenient to keep in my running bag to apply when I get to my race or head out for my run. Spoiler: you can also pick up small "mini sized" Body Glide that are perfect to keep in your pocket or hydration belt/pack to reapply on longer runs or for mid-run chaffing emergency applications.

FOOT GLIDE

While I have been a fan of Body Glide products for a few years and always keep some in my running bag, but I was really excited when Body Glide Foot Glide came out. Foot Glide is another great addition to the Body Glide product lineup that is more focused on foot care.

What it Does (source: Body Glide)

The advanced formula is a dry, invisible, non-greasy barrier that protects your skin from friction and rubbing caused by socks, straps, seams, and more. Stay active, pain free with the Original Anti Blister Stick®.

How to Use Foot Glide (source: Body Glide)

Before you put on shoes apply, directly from the stick, to help prevent blisters and raw skin caused by rubbing. Apply to intact skin before activity or anytime. Use daily for effective and long lasting protection of toes and feet, even in demanding conditions. Wash off with mild soap.

As I mentioned earlier, previously I have sworn by petroleum jelly to coat my feet for long runs. Yes, it works, but it is rather gooey and messing to be honest. Foot Glide applies very nicely and smoothly and coated my feet, including between my toes, liberally and evenly. The absolute best part of applying Foot Glide to my feet is that because it gets completely rubbed in, I didn't make a mess with excess ointment getting all over my socks when I put them on! WIN!

Application was easy, mess free, and quick! Wasting time pre-run or pre-race on trying to get messy petroleum jelly applied to my feet? Who has time for that?!?! Yes, Foot Glide retails for $7.99, which is a little more than petroleum jelly products, but the benefits of it are well worth it and I feel like it lasts longer too. With it being a solid stick, a little bit goes a long way.

I am happy to report that Foot Glide has been saving my feet lately. Between the hot, humid summer in Georgia and spending miles of obstacle course races wet and/or muddy, my feet need all the TLC and protection they can get from blisters.

A HUGE thank you to the team at Body Glide for the opportunity to check out B ody Glide and Foot Glide. This is definitely a great new product to add to my race bag! As my mileage increases this fall, this will be much appreciated by my feet and the my "chafe-prone" areas.

To check out these products from Body Glide and the rest of their product line, check them out online:

Body Glide Website
Body Glide on Facebook
Body Glide on Twitter
Body Glide on Instagram

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StrideBox: July 2019

8/12/2019

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Disclaimer: A HUGE thanks to the team at StrideBox for allowing me to review their subscription box service. While I did receive a box to review, no other compensation was received. As always, I keep it real and all thoughts are strictly my own.

Fitness and health products can be very tricky at times to find out what works best for you. Rather than going and dropping serious cash on products that you quickly find out that you can't stomach or don't work well for you, StrideBox lets you try various products each month before you decide to purchase large quantity packages of new products.

While every product might not be the best fit for you, you can typically find a friend that might want to try it out instead. The best part about StrideBox is that it is just $19.95/month and you can cancel your subscription any time if you find that you aren't enjoying your box.

Each month when I receive my StrideBox, I am honestly like a kid on Christmas morning. I absolutely cannot wait to rip into my box and see what kind of goodies await me.

One of the cool features of StrideBox is that each box comes with a "Stride Guide" inside. This guide gives you a breakdown of the products as well as information such as when to use the products in your workout/run and the retail price. To be honest, I typically ignore the "Stride Guide" until I am done unloading the box so I don't ruin the surprise.

It is time to dig into this month's StrideBox and check out the goods...

BOB'S - BETTER BAR - PEANUT BUTTER BANANA

Bob’s Bars are made with whole grain oats, peanut butter and organic honey. With five flavors and give yourself a treat you can feel good about eating, including Peanut Butter Jelly & Oats, Peanut Butter Chocolate & Oats, Peanut Butter Apple Spice & Oats, and Peanut Butter Coconut & Oats, there is a flavor for every peanut butter lover.

SIREN SNACKS - PROTEIN BITES

Fact: I LOVE snacks! Between work, running, the gym, and trying to have somewhat of a personal life, I am on the go A LOT. In order to avoid things like vending machines and drive-thru, I try to have healthy snacks with me for when I get a little hangry. I am always looking for new snacks to throw in my purse, gym bag, or desk drawer to keep me fueled and ready to go.

Siren Protein Bites are bite-sized treats using only vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO ingredients, and added in a boost of plant-based protein to our recipes.a

EAT YOUR COFFEE - CAFFEINATED SNACK BITE

Eat Your Coffee caffeinated energy bars are organic, vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO snack bars that are caffeinated with cup full of antioxidant-rich coffee. Most of us suffer from mid-day slumps where we can use an extra boost and with caffeine and superfoods included, you get a boost and muscle recovery all in one.

I will probably have coffee mugs thrown at me in rage, but I don't like coffee...at all. I love the smell of coffee grounds, but despise the taste of coffee (or coffee flavored things). Don't worry though, I have plenty of friends that will be happy to take this off my hands.

KRAMP KRUSHER - ENDURANCE CHEW - SALTY LIMON

I LOVE LOVE LOVE gummies. In fact, gummies have been a much loved run fuel choice for me over the years. Any time I get a chance to try out some chew or "gummy fuel" options, I get pretty pumped. When I saw Kramp Krushers in this month's StrideBox, I got pretty excited. Designed for pre-workout, Kramp Krushers solves energy depletion, electrolyte loss, and muscle cramping with its carbohydrates and 300mg of sea salt.

GU - ELECTROLYTE DRINK TABS

Hydration is one of the most important parts of a running or workout program. You sweat so much and exert a lot of energy, you have to replenish your body properly and stay hydrated. GU Electrolyte Tabs are made to keep you hydrated and replace sodium to keep you going strong.

I have my favorite electrolyte replacement hydration for during my runs, so I am not too inclined to really switch things up. Typically when I find electrolyte mixes in my StrideBox I pass them along to friends who might be interested in the product, but the these sound like a great option for throughout the day hydration and I am pretty excited to try the Tri-Berry flavor soon.

2TOMS - SPORT SHIELD

Honestly, one of the dreaded words of running is "blisters"! First, blisters are just gross (being totally honest), plus they can hurt like crazy! I used to be very prone to blisters until I started running in my PRO Compression socks, but event still, those pesky little things would tend to pop up. The science of blisters is pretty simple - friction creates blisters. 2Toms Sport Shield is a towelette that you rub where ever desired to create a virtually frictionless surface to keep dry and blister free. Outside of running, this would be great for those vacations where you are on your feet tons (think amusement parks or cities where you do sightseeing and tours by foot).

RUNDANA - UV PROTECTIVE MULTIFUNCTION BAND

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these things! I have never had the Rundana brand, but I love running "buffs" and "tubes". They are nice and lightweight tubes that can be used in a variety of different ways such as headbands, neck warmers, earwarmers, and more. In the heat of summer, they are excellent to use as a headband or a sweatband. Once winter rolls around I will use it more to keep my ears or neck warm.

One final thing included this month's StrideBox were some coupons for some great gear and a card with a recipe for chunky monkey baked oatmeal from Julie Wunder at ww.RunningInASkirt.com and a bodyweight leg workout from Kolo Olaosebikan at www.kobokofitness.com. This was definitely a nice little bonus to check out and I cannot wait to try both of these out soon - that workout looks so fun and a great workout when I can't get to the gym for weights.

As I mentioned earlier, not every sample is going to be something that directly fits your life and likes. However, I really like the concept behind subscription boxes because you can try new things that you might not have known about before. StrideBox does a great job providing various products for pre-run, during, and post-run needs. The products included are definitely geared towards runners and other athletes and are a great fit for you and your fitness goals.

Question of the Day: Have you ever tried a subscription box? What kind of products would you like to see in an upcoming StrideBox?

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Sports Fanatic 5K - July 13, 2019

8/7/2019

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The Kennesaw Grand Prix is a series of 5Ks over the year and is a very well received series by the community. The race is located fairly close to home, is a well organized race, and is a pretty good little course for sure. This is definitely one of my favorite local race series and their races are always on my schedule.

If you are from the South, you know that people are kind of passionate about sports and their teams. I am a firm believer that participating in team sports or organizations is such an important part of growing up. Not only is it fun for kids, it teaches them a lot of fundamentals, motor skills, and teamwork. Unfortunately, not everyone has the financial ability to allow their children to play in team sports. Thanks to the events such as the Sports Fanatic 5K, Dave Krache Foundation is able to help provide funding to children in the community to be able to do things such as play baseball, football, etc and even take karate and ballet. Runners and walkers were encouraged to wear their favorite sports team apparel or colors, so obviously my Steelers apparel and accessories came out today.

We arrived to the race fairly early (as normal). There is pretty ample parking at these races (at both the start and finish line), but we had to pickup our bibs, use the restroom, etc so we don't want to be too rushed or stressed. One of the perks of having a race at a church is that you get to use indoor restrooms! Wahooo! (I know, it is the little things...)

Credit: True Speed Photo

There were a few races happening around town this weekend, plus summer vacations are in full swing, and the world's largest 10K was just ran nine days ago, so many of the local runners (and our friends) weren't in town this weekend. The crowd did pick up a bit as race time got closer though, but this is usually the smallest of the Kennesaw Grand Prix races due to timing.

All 6 races in the Kennesaw Grand Prix are ran on the same course. The course starts at Kennesaw First Baptist Church and heads out towards Swift Cantrell Park. After a mile long (ish) loop of the park, you head back towards downtown Kennesaw and finish at the Depot. The course is absolutely one of the most flat courses you will find in metro-Atlanta. Yes, there are some very minimal 'hills' along the way, but by Atlanta standards, it is pretty darn flat.

I ran a solid first mile - actually, it was one of my fastest miles ever of 2019. Mile two inside of the park was pretty decent with just a slightly slower pace. I typically slow down a little bit inside of the park because the course is pretty narrow at this point as it is paved trail in the park so maneuvering around folks can be kind of tricky.

Credit: True Speed Photo

The final mile has a bit of a long yet very gradual uphill before the final .2 mile of downhill to the finish line in direct sun and heat, so I slowed down a bit in that last mile. I had a good race for sure. My "come better" is slowly coming along and I gave it all I could, and that is all that you can ask for. Bonus: got a hug from Scrappy, Kennesaw State University's mascot..

I waited for Momma K to finish and cheered on other runners coming into the finish. There were definitely runners of all kinds including super speedy competitive runners, families running together and walkers.

One of my favorite things about the Kennesaw Grand Prix series is that the mayor of Kennesaw greets you at the finish line with high fives. How cool is that?!?! After crossing the finish line, I grabbed some water and waited near the finish line to cheer on the runners and wait for Momma K to arrive.

In the past, the the post race area was held in the depot area near the finish line, but this year they had everything set up at Kennesaw First Baptist Church at the start. Honestly, I am not a huge fan of this, but it seems to work for the sponsors.

There were a few vendors set up and had some water and snacks while they did a raffle for some running shoes from Big Peach Running Company and awards. Since we had some errands to run and we on a time schedule, we didn't stick around too long after the awards.

The Kennesaw Grand Prix Series is a great series for sure, and I highly recommend any of their races. They are all super organized and you cannot beat the course. Seriously, you won't find many flatter 5K courses in the Atlanta area. To learn more about the Kennesaw Grand Prix series and register for their upcoming races, be sure to check out their website. Just a head's up, the next one is August 10th for the Heroes 5K.

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Peachtree Road Race - July 4, 2019

8/5/2019

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Disclaimer: I had the opportunity to be sponsored by Mizuno for the 2019 AJC Peachtree Road Race. I was provided with running gear to train with and run with. No other compensation was provided. All thoughts are strictly my own.

A few years ago, our family started a tradition of staying at a hotel near the start line the eve of Peachtree Road Race (and July 4th). We make it into a mini stay-cation and enjoy some family fun. The biggest perk is the huge convenience of being basically right next to the start line on race morning. After work, the expo, checking into the hotel, dinner, and hanging out poolside a bit, I got my "flat Brandi" ready and made sure that I had everything out and ready for the morning.

In 1970, 110 runners took to the streets of Atlanta for the first Peachtree Road Race. Today, 60,000ish runners, hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of spectators will come together to celebrate them and the history of this great Atlanta (and global) tradition with the 50th Peachtree Road Race! I’m honored to be a part of the history and the community that hosts the world’s largest 10K! The theme of "through the decades" was seen a lot over the past few months as Atlanta Track Club took runners through a history of the last 50 years of the Peachtree Road Race. Race day was no different as there were signs of the celebration throughout the race course from start to finish (and beyond).

To mark the milestone and celebration of Independence Day, I opted to go with a patriotic and 50th Peachtree outfit for the big day.

As my friends started to arrive via MARTA to the race area, I started getting texts of excitement. Even though it my my absolute favorite day of the year and I was ready to get this party started, my bed was way too comfy to get out there at 5:30. I will be there shortly, dear friends. Last year, Atlanta Track Club made a great decision earlier this year to move up the start time by 30 minutes which meant a little more time to get runners on the course without the sun beaming down. The feedback on the change was very positive so they followed the same start time again this year. Yes, you have to get up a bit earlier, but it really helped with the summer heat in Atlanta.

The beauty of staying right at the start line is that you can leave a lot later (especially if you have a later corral). I was meeting up our run squad in our corral around 6:30, so I didn't even leave the room until after 6:15 which was great. To put into perspective, if I stayed home last night, I would have had to leaving home around 4am, so that is exactly why I book a hotel room at the start line in February every year for July 3rd.

Just as we walked out of the hotel, the wheelchair divisions just started so we were able to cheer on some of these amazing athletes as they started their 6.2 mile journey. WOW! Talk about BLAZING FAST!

We timed our departure from the hotel about perfectly and we did not have to wait too long before our corral took off. Our corral was basically a continuous moving flow when we got in it. With start waves going off every 4 minutes or so, the process went by pretty quickly. We hung out, chatted it up with friends, and stayed hydrated.

With that beautiful American flag flying above our heads, it was go time! Time for 6.2 mile party from Lenox to Piedmont! LET'S DO THIS!

People often ask about how crowded the course is at the start of the corrals. The first .25 mile or so was a little "congested" but it thinned out pretty quickly. You have all lanes of Peachtree Road to run in, so there is a lot of room to spread out and just settle in. The first mile is the dullest of the 6.2 miles as there are a lot of barricades the first half mile-sih, so spectators cannot really line the streets here.

Boom! Mile 1 is in the books! We did manage to find some new friends such as national monuments and the Declaration of Independence (which we got to sign). We also may or may not have placed a Waffle House order...

We also got to meet Super Murph (aka "The Laziest Pug in Atlanta")! I have been obsessed with Super Murph since I first spotted him at Peachtree last year, but today I finally to hang with him and his human! Oh, I also got an official Super Murph sticker from his human!

As I mentioned earlier, the first Peachtree Road Race was made up of 110 runners. In order to celebrate the 50th running of the Peachtree Road Race, many of the "original 110" took on the Peachtree Road Race one more time. Fun fact: there is only one person that has ran all 50 Peachtree Road Races. In their special "Original 110" shirts, these runners were easy to spot along the course. Julia and I took advantage of spotting a few of them and chatted with them a bit. I absolutely loved getting to hear some of their stories, how the race has grown over the years, their favorite memories, and even was shown the original start line area.

Did you know that each year, approximately 200,000 people line the Atlanta streets to cheer on the 60,000+ runners?!? Now THAT is one heck of a support team on your side! As we closed in on completing our first mile the crowd support really picked up. There are a lot of churches, businesses and shopping centers along the course which host a number of cheer zone parties.

This year Atlanta Track Club added some extra zest to the party. With DJs pumping songs from each of the decades of Peachtree Road Race, there was a variety of music along the way (and several dance parties by Julia and myself).

Atlanta Track Club does a phenomenal job of positioning water stations about every mile, but sometimes the kindness of others really benefits you on course. Hydration was key today, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the volunteers (and other spectators) for providing support for the runners today whether it was with water, snacks, music, cheers, or high-fives.

Around mile 2, you pass the Episcopal Cathedral St. Philip where many runners can get blessed with Holy Water. This is definitely one of the most notorious parts of the Peachtree Road Race course and one of my favorite parts of the course.

Even though many spectators were cheering for us and telling us we were "almost there", they lie. HAHA! Seriously though, thank you for the cheers friends. Like that though, we were at mile 2 and about 1/3 of the way to Piedmont Park.

There were a number of spectators and organizations that hand out refreshments along the way including watermelon, Popsicle, water, beer, and more. We even met up with "Sherpa Steve" (Julia's husband) who was chasing us down along the course with cold water and such.

Another part of the Peachtree Road Race experience is seeing all of the patriotic costumes and fun signs. While is it common to see costumes or themed outfits along the way, some folks take it to a whole different level. Yes, you see the typical Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty costumes. You even see some people having fun with body paint to show their American spirit. Well, there are even some costume that make you go "hmmmmm." I tried to snap some great costume pictures, but I got distracted...

One of my favorite parts of the course is passing Shepherd Center going up Cardiac Hill around Mile 3. The Shepherd Center is a spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation hospital located in Atlanta. A lot of the patients and their family and friends line the street here and cheer on the runners. These are by far my absolute favorite cheers on course each year. I cannot thank each and every person out there enough for giving me the energy to keep going up Cardiac Hill strong.

People laugh when I describe Peachtree Road Race as a 6.2 mile party (or even a buffet). Yes, you can run this race seriously and focused, but I choose a different route. This day is about fun for me. I like to soak up the memories, give high-fives, take some selfies, and against all rules my mother gave me in life, I politely accept snacks from strangers along the way. I even got sweet puppy kisses! Julia and I had a goal to set a record in puppy kisses and selfies along the way. I don't know the final tally, but we certainly couldn't get enough of these four-legged furry friends!

We have no shame and are constantly on the look out for local celebrities on the race course. One of our absolute favorites is the King of the Wizometer, Chesley McNeil (meteorologist on 11Alive). The weather might not have been an 11 on the Wizometer, but the level of fun was off the charts. We also got to hang out with several other members of the 11Alive team.

...oh yea, if you were watching the race coverage on 11Alive, you might have seen a familiar face.

As we entered into the final stretch of the course in Midtown the High Alert flags went up, but we were at "party pace" anyways and knew that we needed to drink a little extra water and try to get in the shade when possible. Thank you random strangers out there today cheering for me like they knew little ol' me today. You losing your mind as I go past you makes me feel like I am unbreakable today. You gave me strength to pushing forward and doing so with a smile on my face. You giving up your holiday morning to line the streets and pass out thousands of cups of water means so much to me. Coming out with your trombone and bongo drums, yep, we hear you and love you too. Oh, and you sir that loves the smell of 60,000 runners, I am glad you love that putrid odor, because I have smelled myself the past 5 miles and I can only imagine how lovely MARTA will smell shortly.

The biggest party of the race is definitely at the Fur Bus at mile 5. This is by far one of the loudest and wildest cheer groups along the way.

We made the turn onto 10th Street around mile 5.5 and the finish line was in sight!

After 6.2 miles of fun, selfies, and a whole lot of sweat, I crossed the finish line of my 11th Peachtree Road Race. Life is only as fun as you make it! I had an absolutely fantastic time this morning and would not have had it any other way.

After you cross the finish line, you are sent towards a runner only area of Piedmont Park to receive water and your coveted finisher shirt. There are chutes for different shirt sizes and the process is very quick and easy thanks to the great work of the volunteers!

Having the finish line at Piedmont Park provides an absolutely wonderful area for runners and their families and friends to hang out afterwards. A family reunion area greets runners and their family and friends with a place to find each other post-race. There are some great photo opportunities and some freebies set up throughout the park as well. Probably one of the most popular features is the ability to spread out and stretch out in the grass for a bit.

As we did last year, we all headed to the Atlanta Track Club post-race party at Park Tavern to meet up. For the past few years, Atlanta Track Club had a tent in Piedmont Park for members to gather after the race. Three years ago, they gave members a special treat with the party at Park Tavern and it was such a hit, they did so again last year and this year. We definitely felt like VIPs after the race - just one of the many perks of being an Atlanta Track Club member. We didn't get to hang out long as we needed to get back to the hotel for check-out.

While you get a few snacks in the finisher area, as you exit Piedmont Park there are bins of Coca-Cola drinks and PowerAde to quench your thirst. I don't know which I look forward to more each year - my ice cold Coke or that refreshing popsicle.

The "worst" part of the Peachtree Road Race experience is the hike back to MARTA. There are very few ways to get around walking back to MARTA, so a majority of the masses must make the haul after 6.2 miles. This year MARTA ran buses from the finish line area to the MARTA rail stations in the area which was a nice touch. However, Julia's sweet husband taxi'ed Momma K and I back to the hotel, so the trip on MARTA was avoided. THANK YOU STEVEN!

Thank you to the wonderful team at Atlanta Track Club, volunteers, law enforcement and emergency responders, spectators, and fellow runners for a wonderful morning of fun and festivities.

Eleven Peachtree Road Races down, many more to go! See you in 2020!

Are you interested in joining in on the fun of future Atlanta Track Club events? There are a number of races happening in the upcoming weeks around metro-Atlanta.

August 17th - Atlanta's Finest 5K, One Mile & 50m Dash
September 20th & 21st - Wingfoot XC Classic

Interested in becoming a member of the Atlanta Track Club and guarantee your entry to the Peachtree Road Race in 2020?

Learn about member benefits and become a member here.

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Peachtree Road Race Expo - July 3, 2019

7/23/2019

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What a better way to kick off one of my favorite race days of the year than with a race expo! As you may know, I really enjoy going to race expos. They are fantastic way to check out and buy running products, try samples, and just have a great time with friends and fellow runners. As in the past few years, the Peachtree Heath & Fitness Expo was held at the Georgia World Congress. This is a great central location in the heart of downtown Atlanta which has amble parking, close to public transportation and within walking distance of many offices and hotels in the area.

With the race held on July 4th, the expo ran for the two days prior (July 2nd and 3rd). Due to my ork schedule, I got to the expo around lunch time on Wednesday, July 3rd. With 60,000 runners participating in the 50th running of the Peachtree Road Race and many of them coming from out of town, both days of the expo would be quite popular as locals and out-of-towners alike flock to pick up their bibs.

With so many people attending the expo, a security checkpoint just outside of the expo hall. Security did bag checks quickly and the volunteers got everyone in as quickly as possible. As you approached the entrance, there was a place to recycle your old running shoes. Most runners have at least a pair (or more) of super broke down running shoes that have no life left in them - why not recycle them!?!

When you first entered the expo area, there were stations set up for bib pick-up. When you registered for Peachtree Road Race, there was an option for expo pickup or have your packet mailed (for a fee). A majority of the people entering the expo were picking up their packet, so it was great to have them set up right when you walked in.

Each station was setup for designated bib numbers (about 1000-2500 bibs per station). In order to collect your bib, you showed your confirmation (either printed or on your phone) along with a form of identification. You were also able to pick up bibs for family and friends via the same process. The process moved very quickly and the volunteers were great!

This year wasn't just ANY Peachtree Road Race. It is the 50th running of the Peachtree Road Race (the world's largest 10K!). The theme of "through the decades" was seen a lot over the past few months as Atlanta Track Club took runners through a history of the last 50 years of the Peachtree Road Race. There were many stories shared, milestone moments, course records, and of course those coveted finisher shirt designs. The theme of "through the decades" didn't end there though, it was seen throughout the expo (and race course).

After you passed through the bib pick-up area, you entered the Mizuno/official race merchandise area before heading into the main expo area. Of course Mizuno (official footwear and apparel partner of the AJC Peachtree Road Race) carried that same theme with their official race merchandise.

Without a doubt, Mizuno puts out some really awesome race merchandise. There were some really great products including shirts/tanks, hats, and pint glasses for the race. No matter if you were looking for Atlanta Track Club merchandise or some "throwback" Peachtree Road Race themed gear, there was something for everyone. While all finishers receive the coveted Peachtree Road Race shirt at the end of Thursday's race (which the design is a secret until the first finishers receive them), I wanted a singlet so I could wear it to the gym or on summer runs.

Oh, and you could get your official 2019 Peachtree Road Race Mizuno WaveKnits while you were there. I have had my pair for a few weeks now and they are soooo comfortable! I have the past three years Peachtree Road Race Mizunos and they are always so cute and comfortable. This year was no different. The WaveKnit is an amazing neutral shoe with great breath-ability and cushion to make make my run feel even more amazing. The attention to details of the special edition shoe blew my mind from the patriotic colors to the 50th Peachtree Road Race logo and gold details, every time I looked at these shoes I found something else unique about them.

While a lot of shirt designs and sizes as well as shoe sizes were flying out of the expo, there is still some merchandise available through the Mizuno website.

Runners also had the opportunity to "leave their mark" for the 50th Peachtree Road Race by signing a mural. Call me a nerd, but I love scoping out the wall and reading messages from other runners. Every runner has their story and the motivation left on the wall is so inspiring to me.

There were a lot of great booth with vendors with discounted running gear, running clubs, future races, charities, and of course snacks. The vendors were pretty diverse and you did not feel like you were continuously walking past the same type of product over and over. One of my favorites was watching runners attempt to run 400 meters on a giant treadmill at the pace of the AJC Peachtree Road Race course record to score a huge discount on the 2020 Atlanta Marathon & 1/2 Marathon in March.

As you exited the expo, the final areas you walked past were an information booth where you could check out course maps including the finish line area so you can help plan your race day a bit better. There were also volunteers on hand to assist with any race day questions you may have. You were also able to purchase your MARTA ticket at the expo exit unless you are going to do the unofficial "Peachtree Half Marathon" (park at the start line, run the race, then run back to the start), you will likely need a MARTA ticket for race day.

There were definitely a lot of great goodies to be picked up at the expo. A lot of vendors had samples, giveaways, and drawings for prizes. I didn't do much shopping as I have a good bit of traveling coming up in the next few months, but I did pickup a few Atlanta Track Club shirts at "the final lap" shop which has old race shirts and overstock Atlanta Track Club shirts for $5. There were a few shirts that I have ruined or used for t-shirt quilts, so I replaced them and I scored a few long sleeved Atlanta Track Club shirts for fall.

Thank you to all of the wonderful vendors who attended the 2019 Peachtree Road Race expo and of course Atlanta Track Club for hosting such a wonderful event. The expo was definitely a great way to start the race weekend and get even more pumped for the race (if that is even possible).

...now it is time to head to get some dinner and rest up at the hotel before tomorrow's big day!

Are you interested in joining in on the fun of future Atlanta Track Club events? There are a number of races happening in the upcoming weeks around metro-Atlanta.

August 3 - Decatur Dekalb 4 Miler (FREE for Atlanta Track Club members)
August 17th - Atlanta's Finest 5K

Interested in becoming a member of the Atlanta Track Club? Learn more about member benefits and become a member here.

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StrideBox - June 2019

7/18/2019

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Time to dig into this month's StrideBox to check out the goods...

CLIF - CUBES ENDURANCE BITES - TART CHERRY

Between work, running, the gym, and trying to have somewhat of a personal life, I am on the go A LOT. In order to avoid things like vending machines and drive-thru, I try to have healthy snacks with me for when I get a little "hangry". I am always looking for new snacks to throw in my purse, gym bag, or desk drawer to keep me fueled and ready to go.

CLIF CUBES are nut butter–filled endurance bites made real ingredients like fruits and nuts to provide sustained energy for rides, runs, or cross-training. They currently come in three flavors: double peanut, strawberry banana, and tart cherry. I got the tart cherry to try out and I am hoping that this is like a little taste of summer!

BITE FUEL - PROTEIN COOKIES - LEMON WHITE CHIP

Did someone say COOKIES!??! Bite Fuel's Power Bites are soft chewy protein cookies that can be a quick breakfast replacement, pre-workout snack, or a treat. Power Bites have 18g of protein packed in each bag (made with hormone free whey protein) and are non-GMO, low cholesterol and are free of gluten, preservatives and trans fats.

I received the lemon white chip flavor in my StrideBox, however the other Bit Fuel flavors sound just as tasty including double chocolate, snicker doodle and my personal favorite, peanut butter. The at Bite Fuel recommend them as is from the bag or you can spice things up by dunking in milk or even over ice cream on cheat days. YUM!

ENER-C - SPORT ELECTROLYTE DRINK MIX - BERRY

Ener-C Sport is an electrolyte drink mix for before, during and after exercise. Each packet is caffeine free, contains no Artificial flavors, vegan, gluten free, and contains less than 1g of sugar. Ener-C is made to support muscle function, re-hydration and help absorb essential electrolytes to keep you going from your current workout to the next.

I have my favorite electrolyte replacement hydration, so I am not too inclined to really switch things up. Typically when I find electrolyte mixes in my StrideBox I pass them along to friends who might be interested in the product, but the mixed berry flavor does sound pretty tasty so I will probably give it a try.

ELITE-OPS - ENERGY STRIPS - ARCTIC MINT

I am not one who uses typical energy gels as I have issues with the taste and texture of them. Instead, I use other forms of energy products for a boost on the run or during workouts such as gummies. EliteOps Strips provide energy with 100 mg dose of caffeine plus B6, B12 & E vitamins (equivalent to a 12oz cup of coffee, but without a delay). Unlike some energy drinks and products, the clean sustained-energy fo EliteOps means that there are no spike, crash, or gut issues.

LIGHTLOAD TOWELS - EXTRA STRENGTH PORTABLE TOWEL

The dog days of summer are here in Atlanta (and probably where you are too) and I feel like I am counting down the days to fall weather. I am constantly trying to find ways to stay even a little bit cooler on those hot and humid summer days. Heck, even running at night it is still way hot out there. The Lightload Towel is a super-absorbent travel towel made for outdoor adventure and those on the go. Each Lightload Towel is vacuum packed (perfect to throw into your glove compartment, gym bag, or running pack. It can also be used over and over to clean, wipe and dry. This will be perfect to have in my car and ready to wet as soon as I get done with a race or training run this summer!

ALL GOOD - SPF 30 SUNSTICK - UNSCENTED

Protecting your skin from UV rays is with out a doubt important year round. However, since most of us have a lot more skin exposed during those hot and humid summer runs, protecting your skin should be a part of your pre-run routine each day.

Not all sunscreen is created equal, which is why a lot of runners are hunting for that perfect performance/sport sunscreen that keeps protecting even during the sweatiest of runs. AllGood SPF30 Sunstick ideal for the face, nose, ears and more and made with non-nano Zinc Oxide and certified organic oils such as jojoba, coconut and avocado.

One final thing included this month's StrideBox was a recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup "Ice Cream" from Angela at www.eat-spin-run-repeat.com and a "Dripping in Sweat" Interval workout from Teri at www.afoodiestaysfit.com. This was definitely a nice little bonus to check out and I cannot wait to try both of these out soon - that workout looks so fun and will be great to try out this summer (especially that tasty frozen treat!)!

Question of the Day: Have you ever tried a subscription box? What kind of products would you like to see in an upcoming StrideBox?

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Never Run/Walk Alone 5K - June 29, 2019

7/17/2019

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I am always looking for new races to run - or even "new to me" races. Well, it was just a few days before July 4th which means most runners are either out of town or prepping for those big July 4th races. After checking out various outlets for races in the area, nothing within a reasonable distance was happening this weekend...or so I thought. About two weeks before, my friend Jenn asked me if I was running Never Run/Walk Alone 5K. What was this all about? She sent me the link and I checked it out and it was a 5K happening at one of my favorite race courses from 2018 which is just about 15 minutes from home. Count me in! While I usually register for races around a month (or more) in advance, this was a little different as I registered about a week beforehand.

Momma K and I arrived to Etowah River Park shortly after 7am which gave us almost an hour to eat our light breakfast, meet up with Jenn and Brendan, grab our bibs and get ready to run. There is plenty of parking in the park conveniently located near the indoor restrooms, bib pickup, and the start line.

A few minutes before 8am everyone was directed to the start line area and given instructions on the race course. The course started in Etowah River Park and took the running path over to Heritage Park which you entered at the mile 1 mark. Then you did a loop of Heritage Park which is just shy of a mile then back over to Etowah River Park to the finish.

Talk about a nearly totally flat course! There was about 16ft of elevation change the entire course which was mostly the bridge that connects the two parks. I usually don't run well on flat courses (I am weird and need those hills to switch things up), but I absolutely love this course. My favorite part is that it is all on the running paths so there is no vehicular traffic at all. The only "traffic" was a few individuals that were out walking dogs or going for a morning walk/run, but they were all aware of the race and gave runners the right of way which was very nice.

After crossing the finish line I met up with Brendan and Jenn to do a short little cool down run with them since they needed an extra mile to get their four miles in for the day. Afterwards we headed back to the finish line to cheer on finishers and wait for the results. Well, I had quite a surprise when I found out that I came in third place in my age group! Since I ran considerably slower than normal due to the warmth and scaling back my pace the past few months, I was shocked but super excited to earn an adorable wooden age group medals.

Considering I didn't even know this race existed until less than two weeks before, I have to say that I am definitely not letting this one slide by me again in the future. You better believe that when 2020 rolls around, I will be watching for this one to come up again.

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Hotlanta 5K - June 9, 2019

7/15/2019

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Disclaimer: As a 2019 Hotlanta Half Marathon & 5K Ambassador, I received complimentary entry to the race as well as various goodies from race and sponsors. All thoughts are strictly my own.

Next up for 2019 we are lacing up for Hotlanta 5K. After volunteering at packet pickup for a few hours on Tuesday night at Big Peach Alpharetta and a 5K on Saturday canceled due to lightning, I got read for 3.1 miles through Atlanta in the morning.

This is the 6th year of the Hotlanta Half Marathon. The first two years, the race has been held in mid-August, but last year it moved up to June. Half marathons are pretty rare, actually very rare, in the area during the summer months due to extreme heat. Hotlanta Half Marathon puts runners to the true test of summer heat in Atlanta - hence the name Hotlanta. With some good summer training, proper hydration, and listening to your body, it is a doable challenge for sure.

After years of requests, Hotlanta Half Marathon added a 5K to the line-up this year and the response was AMAZING! The 5K had sold out about a week before the race! Since there were more runners due to the additional 5K, we arrived to Pemberton Place earlier than normal. This gave us time to park, eat breakfast, and use the bathroom before heading to the start line.

After the past few days showing a grim forecast for race day (even as I went to bed the night before), things cleared up magically. It was a little overcast and humidity was pretty high (hello, Atlanta), but it was MUCH better than severe weather that was in the forecast.

The half marathon lined up first and took off then the 5K lined up to take off 15 minutes after that. Due to the number of runners registered between the two races and the courses only sharing the first 1/2 mile or so, it made sense to have two separate start times to avoid crowding and staying on the correct course.

Of course Julia and I had to take in ALL of the sights along the way from beautiful murals to random lost shoes...

The course is seriously one of flattest courses you will find in downtown Atlanta. There was a gradual hill at the beginning then a long gradual hill at mile two. As bummed as I was that I wasn't able to run the half marathon this year, the 5K course did not disappoint at all. Plus, I got to run with Julia - BONUS!

Credit: True Speed Photo

The lovely race directors of Peak Racing (Tony and Lisa) greeted me at the finish line as they waited for the first half marathoner to come through shortly. Julia and I collected our bling - which was the same as the half marathon medal just slightly smaller. Spoiler: Hotlanta Half Marathon always has some great medals!

As much as I worked with Tony and Lisa as part of the ambassador team, Tony kept one surprise from me....SNOW CONES! At the end of the finisher chute was a Kona Ice truck with complimentary snow cones! Be still my heart! <3 This is exactly what I wanted after a hot and humid run.

After finishing, I chilled out for a few minutes then headed back about .25 mile to the final turn to cheer on the half marathoners to the finish line. Cheers, smiles and high fives were a plenty for our friends and complete strangers. Helping give others the encouragement they needed to finish strong and give that final push to the finish was so much fun!

The post race area was poppin' with a variety of vendors from Big Peach On Wheels (basically a "food truck" but for running gear), a physical therapist doing massage therapy and cupping, running groups, and more. Having the post-race party in Pemberton Place is great because it is a spacious area that allows runners and their friends and family to hang out and celebrate their accomplishments of the day.

Thank you again to everyone involved in today's race. The measures taken to help ensure runner safety were awesome and very well thought through. From the race director, to volunteers and supporters, to fellow runners, I thank you each for making today possible and enjoyable. See ya in 2020 for year seven of the Hotlanta Half Marathon. Now, will I return to the the half marathon again or take on the 5K???

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Christmas In July: 2019 Santa Hustle Discount Code

7/9/2019

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In 2013, our family headed up to the Wilderness At The Smokies resort in Sevierville, TN for our first Santa Hustle weekend. Santa Hustle is a great themed race for sure. With fun aspects such as Christmas music, Christmas candy and cookie stations, and more! The Santa Hustle has quickly become a family tradition of ours. With the Sevierville, TN race just a short drive away, it makes for a fun family get-away before the chaos of the holidays comes around.

The Santa Hustle is a race series held in multiple locations across the country each November and December and is a fantastic way to kick off the holiday season! Each location is different, but Santa Hustle in the Smokies hosts a 5K and a 1/2 Marathon (some locations are 5K only).

Credit: Santa Hustle

Are none of the Santa Hustle locations close to you? Don't worry, you aren't on Santa's naughty list - there is a VIRTUAL option available! That is right, you chose the time and place you want to "Jingle Bell Rock" 13.1 or 3.1 miles and you get rewarded with some great Santa swag too!

Ready to sign up? How about saving some cash?!?! Use promo code BRANDISANTA5 at registration to save $5 off ANY 2019 Santa Hustle Race.

I hope to see you there!

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Turtle Trot 5K - June 1, 2019

7/8/2019

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I am always looking for new races to run - or even "new to me" races. Last year the Georgia Aquarium hosted their first annual Turtle Trot 5K. I was crazy excited when I heard about the upcoming race from a friend, but then I was quickly disappointed when I realized I was already registered for a race on that same day. Whomp, whomp. Before I knew it, 2019 rolled around and so did the date for the second annual Turtle Trot 5K. I made sure to have nothing scheduled for this morning so I wouldn't miss out again.

Even better, Julia decided to join me! We arrived to Georgia Aquarium/Pemberton Place about an hour or so before the race. This gave us plenty of time to get parked, get our bibs, use the restroom (yay for indoor bathrooms!) and head to the start line.

There was a great crowd today with about 1000 runners and walkers lining up at the start. We got started promptly at 8am and were on our way. Honestly, I was a little nervous about how crowding would come into play with so many runners/walkers without any kind of pace suggestions while lining up or announcements, but it wasn't bad at all. The course took you around the perimeter of Centennial Olympic Park and out towards Georgia Tech and back (like a number of other downtown Atlanta 5Ks).

The course was pretty great - it was relatively flat (for downtown Atlanta standards) with just two gradual hills (but fairly lengthy) in the beginning and end. Trust me, it could have been a lot worse and hills are not avoidable in downtown Atlanta (and most of the metro-area in general).

After crossing the finish line we received our super adorable sea turtle medals and headed over to Pemberton Place (the area between World of Coca-Cola and Georgia Aquarium) to enjoy some post-race fun. While there wasn't a ton of booths set up, there were some fun photo ops, some vendors/activities, and great music.

I really enjoyed the Turtle Trot 5K and will definitely be adding this one to my 2020 calendar again. If you are looking for a race to bring out the family to, your first 5K, or maybe you are looking for a course to run competitively, this one caters to runners and walkers of all kinds and levels. I hope to see some of you there next year!

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